In Danger for the Gospel

Our mission team is pictured here scattered among the people of

Spanish Town Tabernacle in Spanish Town, Jamaica.

We did construction work on the church building, pictured left.

Two American missionaries were killed in Jamaica last weekend. Here is the link to a CNN report of the incident. This hits home to us at Crossroads, because in 2009 we sent a team of men to do some construction work in Spanish Town, Jamaica, not far from Kingston. I first learned of the murders through email with our mission contacts from Jamaica. Our contacts, who served as missionaries for years in Jamaica, now live back in the U.S., but they knew the men who died.

The victims had no known enemies, and reportedly felt safe in Jamaica. Their work included building homes for needy people. They were sharing the love of Jesus with abandon and enthusiasm.

Another friend told me about folks he had met in India years ago who recently lost their lives for the gospel.  In March a pastor, his wife and two children were murdered and burned. Many are concerned that Christians in India will suffer persecution again, as they did in the early 2000s. Tens of thousands of believers died as entire villages were purged. I don't remember any media reports about it.

Historically, Christians suffer persecution. Governments, cultures, and institutions tend to single out Christians for blame.

Today, Christians in America seem to be magnets for blame. They won't toe the party line. They think independently. They answer to a higher authority.

I wonder if we are ready for real persecution. Living the gospel is dangerous.